How to Get Rid of Mold in Grass

Report This Article

How to Get Rid of Mold in Grass

Overview

Mold is a problem that can occur on almost any surface where there is water and lack of light. Though when you hear of mold problems you may think of the basement, where mold may hide undetected like a dirty little secret, mold can also be a problem on your lawn where anyone can see it. Fortunately, the best solution to get rid of mold is to eliminate the causes of mold.

Eliminate Surface Mold

Step 1

Purchase a fungicidal spray from your local garden center.

Step 2

Put on protective clothing, including long sleeves and pants, gloves and breathing protection.

Step 3

Mix the fungicidal spray according to package directions. Pour the liquid into the holding chamber of a spray applicator and close the lid on the holding chamber.

Step 4

Prime the pump of the spray applicator by grasping the handle and working it up and down. Grasp the chamber in one hand and the applicator rod in the other.

Step 5

Open the spray release valve. Apply the fungicide over the mold-infested part of your lawn by passing the applicator wand over the fungicide in wide even strokes.

Prevent Mold from Returning

Step 1

Rake up any decaying, organic matter in your lawn, including dead leaves or grass clippings that mold can feed on.

Step 2

Rent an aeration machine from a heavy equipment store.

Step 3

Turn on the aeration machine, set the lever to control the depth to which the machine will aerate and pass the machine over your lawn in sections similar to the way in which you would operate a push mower. Aerating your lawn in this way will improve drainage and remove moisture from the soil that causes mold.

Step 4

Increase light that reaches the moldy area by thinning overhead branches. Lop off branches with branch loppers at a 45-degree angle, sloping away from the primary branch of a tree.

Step 5

Adopt a fertilization schedule for your lawn that tapers off in the fall. This prevents a buildup of nitrogen-rich food on the lawn for the mold.

Things You'll Need

Fungicidal spray

Protective clothing

Spray applicator

Lawn rake

Turf aeration machine

Branch loppers

References

Alabama Cooperative Extension: Slime Molds on Home Lawns

North Dakota State University: Lawn Diseases

All About Lawns: What Kind of Lawn Diseases May I Have?

Who Can Help

American-Lawns.com: Lawn diseases are a good indication a landscape might be out of balance

Keywords:
lawn care, mold problems, fungicide application

About this Author

Tracy S. Morris has been a freelance writer since 2000. She has published two novels and numerous online articles. Her work has appeared in national magazines and newspapers, including "Ferrets," "CatFancy," "Lexington Herald Leader" and "The Tulsa World."